|
September 8, 2011
Dear friends and colleagues,
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
The Kyrie keeps echoing through my mind and heart every time I see or hear yet another weather or flooding alert on radio, TV or e-mail. And now after more rain yesterday Montgomery County and Schoharie are in states of emergency, there are evacuations in the Binghamton, Scotia and Amsterdam and parts of the NYS Thruway are closed again. And by the time you receive this communication the waters of the Mohawk, Schoharie and Susquehanna Rivers will have risen further.
The flooding has affected a wider area this time and so in addition to our brothers and sisters in New Jersey, we add Upper and Lower Susquehanna Synods who are now putting together their disaster response teams as Susquehanna River rises. As Beth Yenchko, Interim DEM, begins her work here in Upstate New York, she is receiving reports that her home in Harrisburg is flooded.
We have stood and will continue to walk with and assist as we're able those who are in areas that are affected. Patsy Glista, AIM, our Disaster Relief Coordinator has been tirelessly at work making contacts and connections, visiting flood sites, and activating the network that she helped to create to respond in these times of need. Thank you to Lutheran Care, Clinton for their cooperation in these efforts and their investment through the years in helping to build the Synod's Disaster Response network. The ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response folks have been a source of encouragement, information and emergency help as well. An experienced Disaster Coordinator will soon arrive in Upstate New York to help coach and mentor those who will be working with the long-term rebuilding efforts here. Conference Deans have been tracking and praying with individuals. People are stepping up to help in the midst of the storm and from across the synod.
St. Luke's, Sidney is filled to capacity as an emergency shelter. Members of St. Paul's, Richmondville and Zion, Cobleskill are volunteering in shelters and other capacities. King of Kings, Liverpool sent a team of workers over Labor Day weekend to begin the process of mucking out the mud. St. John's, W. Seneca has a crew ready to go to Middleburgh next week (assuming plans don't change with the new floods.) People in Niagara Frontier, Genesee Finger Lakes and Central Crossroads are gathering flood buckets. As soon as I finish this letter I will be working the phones to make connections with caregivers and those affected.
What you can do:
Pray - Please continue to pray for those whose lives have been impacted by the floods, particularly those communities that are being evacuated or flooded for the second time. Some of our congregations include Bethany, Central Bridge; St. Paul's, Oak Hill; and Christ the King, Vestal. Remember Hector and Cindy Rivera, Beth Yenchko and Pastors William Hodgetts, Norma Malfatti and Dennis Meyer. Pray for the caregivers who continue in emergency mode - particularly Patsy Glista and Elaine Berg (Foothills Conference Dean.)
Give - donations to LDR, Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief, may be sent c/o Lutheran Homes Foundation, 108 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY 13323. ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response are always welcome as well. (see ELCA website).
Gather materials - see September 7th Upstate Update on our website for details regarding Flood Bucket donation sites.
Volunteer - Volunteers with experience in clean-up and mucking out are needed now. With mold and water soaked buildings it is important for those doing clean up to use proper procedures and care. Don't worry- there will be plenty of work opportunities in the months to come in the re-building. You may e-mail availability to admin@nyvoad.org providing type of assistance you can provide and contact info.
My deep thanks to Patsy Glista and Neal Fischer who have been providing outstanding communication to you in the last weeks. Future updates will be made through the biweekly Upstate Updates and in a more timely fashion through our website, Facebook page and Twitter account outlets.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Marie C. Jerge
Bishop, Upstate New York Synod
|
|
|
For those in storm impacted areas - The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced federal aid is available in New York State. Residents and business owners who have sustained losses in the designated counties can register for assistance online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). Residents with requests for clean-up help can call 211 in their area (211 of NENY and 211 Hudson Valley) or if 211 is unavailable they can complete the request form at www.nyvoad.org/debris.
LDR is a member of the New York Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYVOAD), a partnership of agencies who work together on disaster recovery. NYVOAD is coordinating requests for household clean-up and mud-out in impacted areas across New York State.
For more information and daily NYVOAD Situation Reports from Hurricane Irene response visit www.nyvoad.org.
Ways your congregation can help:
Gather materials and assemble "flood buckets" used in clean up. Flood buckets may be dropped off at the following locations:
- Niagara Frontier (WNY) - Still in One Peace Crisis Services, 9365 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Ctr., NY, Contact is Pr. Steve Biegner, stevebiegner@gmail.com, 716-868-1232.
- Genesee Finger Lakes - Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 761 Elmgrove Rd., Rochester, NY. Contact either Gary Roller, gwr67@peoplepc.com, or Frank Haak, (585)544-1095.
- Central Crossroads -
- Syracuse area: King of Kings Lutheran Church, 8278 Oswego Rd., Liverpool, NY. (315) 622-2077;
- Rome: First United Methodist Church, 400 N. George St., Rome, NY (315) 336-1740.
- Utica area: New Hartford First United Methodist Church, 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY (315) 733-4227
Volunteer work teams to assist with clean-up, mucking out and rebuilding. Please email availability to admin@nyvoad.org providing type of assistance you can provide, number of volunteers, possible availability dates, and contact name, phone and email.
Give a donation to support LDR, Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief, c/o Lutheran Homes Foundation, 108 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY 13323 (Checks made payable to "Lutheran Homes Foundation" - please note Upstate New York Hurricane/Flood in the memo line). Donations support the LDR staff working in Upstate New York hurricane impacted areas and to support long term recovery efforts.
Grace and peace,
Patsy Glista, AIM
LDR Coordinator, Upstate New York
Assistant to the Bishop for Operations, Upstate New York Synod, ELCA
(315)289-2686, pglista@upstatenysynod.org
As a programming note: Future updates on recovery efforts will be made through the biweekly Upstate Updates and in a more timely fashion through our website, Facebook page and Twitter account outlets.
|
|
God of renewing love, sustain those who continue to suffer and rebuild in the aftermath of this disaster. Bring hope in the midst of despair. Grant patience and endurance to those who bring aid and assistance. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen
As I write this, the TV warns of more flooding to already struggling areas of our state from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee which soaked Louisiana and other Gulf states. God, please turn off the faucet is what I want to shout. Amidst my frustration I am ever so thankful for the volunteers of the LDR Leadership Team, folks like Pr. Steve Biegner who is spearheading Flood Bucket efforts in WNY, volunteers who are helping with clean-up, and many others across our synod who are helping. Flood Buckets are now an ecumenical partnership with the United Methodists and the United Church of Christ. Completed Flood Buckets may be dropped off at the following locations:
- Niagara Frontier (WNY) - Still in One Peace Crisis Services, 9365 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Ctr., NY, Contact is Pr. Steve Biegner, stevebiegner@gmail.com, 716-868-1232.
- Genesee Finger Lakes - Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 761 Elmgrove Rd., Rochester, NY. Contact either Gary Roller, gwr67@peoplepc.com, or Frank Haak, (585)544-1095.
- Central Crossroads –
- Syracuse area: King of Kings Lutheran Church, 8278 Oswego Rd., Liverpool, NY. (315) 622-2077;
- Rome: First United Methodist Church, 400 N. George St., Rome, NY (315) 336-1740.
- Utica area: New Hartford First United Methodist Church, 105 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY (315) 733-4227
LDR is a member of the New York Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYVOAD), a partnership of agencies who work together on disaster recovery. NYVOAD is coordinating requests for household clean-up and mud-out in impacted areas across New York State. Leighton Jones, Chair of NYVOAD shares that there are currently dozens of teams from NYVOAD member agencies on the ground assisting residents in cleaning flood debris from their residences. This effort is being coordinated by NYVOAD statewide.
Residents with requests for clean-up help can call 211 in their area (211 of NENY and 211 Hudson Valley) or if 211 is unavailable they can complete the request form at www.nyvoad.org/debris.
For more information and daily NYVOAD Situation Reports from Hurricane Irene response visit www.nyvoad.org.
Gracious God, help us to shoulder the burden of suffering and make us bearers of hope that can be found in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Patsy Glista, AIM
LDR Coordinator, Upstate New York
(315)289-2686 (cell)
pglista@upstatenysynod.org
Assistant to the Bishop for Operations, Upstate New York Synod, ELCA
Lutheran Disaster Response, Upstate New York is a ministry of LutheranCare in Clinton, NY
|
|
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12
As I participated on the NYVOAD conference call this morning where organization after organization shared the efforts they have begun to respond to the many needs of those impacted by Hurricane Irene, I was reminded that we are all parts of the body of Christ and that it does indeed take all the parts to carry out God’s call to mission. Please continue to pray for all who have been affected by this major disaster and for all those responding to help and consider how you and your congregation can help.
For those in storm impacted areas - The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced federal aid is available in New York State. Residents and business owners who have sustained losses in the designated counties can register for assistance online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362).
Ways your congregation can help –
- Gather materials and assemble "Flood Buckets” used in clean-up.
- Drop off location in Niagara Frontier (WNY) is: Still in One Peace Crisis Services, 9365 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Ctr., NY, Contact is Pr. Steve Biegner, stevebiegner@gmail.com, 716-868-1232.
- Drop off location in Genesee Finger Lakes is: Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 761 Elmgrove Rd., Rochester, NY. Contact either Gary Roller, gwr67@peoplepc.com, or Frank Haak, 585-544-1095.
- Watch for information no a drop off location in Central Crossroads.
- School supplies will also be needed in affected areas.
- Volunteer work teams to assist with clean-up, mucking out and rebuilding. Please email availability to ldrupstateny@gmail.com providing type of assistance you can provide, # of volunteers, possible availability dates, and contact name, phone and email. This will allow us to be ready when the systems are in place to connect volunteers with clean-up sites. NYVOAD is coordinating this effort state wide. You may also communicate your availability directly to NYVOAD at admin@nyvoad.org.
- Give a donation to support LDR, Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief, c/o Lutheran Homes Foundation, 108-110 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY 13323 (Checks made payable to “Lutheran Homes Foundation” - please note LDR-Upstate NY in the memo line). Donations support the LDR staff working locally in the wake of the disaster to share information, train and coordinate volunteers in the wake of disaster and to support recovery efforts. You may also donate online through the national LDR website.
Lord Jesus, help us to cling to the everlasting truths of our faith; that God loves us and will never abandon us and that we are able to do all things in Christ who saves us. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Patsy Glista, AIM
LDR Coordinator, Upstate New York
Assistant to the Bishop for Operations, Upstate New York Synod, ELCA
(315)289-2686, pglista@upstatenysynod.org
|
|
In the wake of Irene, counties across New York State are in the process of assessing the damage and needs of affected areas. We continue to work with members of the New York VOAD and faith based partners to assess damage and available resources for the recovery phase. In the coming days we will have a better idea of the damage that has happened and the types of help that are needed. We know from experience that the clean-up and recovery period is long. What a storm can wipe out in an hour, can take months or even years to put back together. Lutheran Disaster Response in upstate New York is part of a coordinated effort of agencies throughout New York and from across the country ready to assist.
I have been providing regular phone updates to Bishop Jerge who will return from vacation on September 6. She sends greetings and asks that we continue to pray with her for all people who have experienced injury or damage due to Irene, especially Pr. Zerhfuhs and members of Bethany in Central Bridge whose church is flooded; Pr. William Hodgetts and members of his congregation dealing with flooded homes; Pr. Dennis Meyer and members of Redeemer in Scotia who are cleaning up water and mud in their homes; Pr. Elaine Berg who is helping coordinate volunteers from Zion-Cobleskill, St. Paul’s-Richmondville, and Zion/St. John’s-Seward to assist with staffing in the Schoharie County shelter located in Cobleskill; for all our members and congregations in those areas still without power and those in the midst of cleanup that we are not yet aware of. Please prayerfully consider the ways that God calls your congregation to assist in the coming days, weeks and months of recovery. Below are prayers and resources for you and your congregation to help you to assist your neighbors in need provided through Lutheran Disaster Response, Upstate New York – a ministry of LutheranCare.
What can your congregation do now?
In the coming days, we will have a better idea of the damage that has happened throughout our area. In the next few days we will communicate information for volunteers that are available to help "muck out" residents with unmet needs and assist with long-term recovery.
If you have damage to your home or property, report it to your local municipality. This information is important in determining the government assistance needed and will be used to secure assistance from a variety organizations. Local 211 call centers are available to answer Hurricane related questions about assistance and clean-up.
What can you or your congregation do now?
- Pray individually and as a community. (Attached prayer petitions for the next 2 Sundays and bulletin inserts from ELCA Disaster Response)
- Reach out to your congregation. Make a wellness check on the more vulnerable people in the community who may have lost power or need assistance. Help where you can.
- Gather materials and assemble "Flood Buckets” used in clean-up. In the next few days, we will have more information about drop-off locations throughout our synod. Cleaning buckets are distributed directly to residents who have experienced flooding.
- If you have congregational teams willing to volunteer, please email information to us, ldrupstateny@gmail.com providing type of assistance you can provide (cleaning kits, volunteer teams, etc.), # of volunteers, possible availability dates, and contact name, phone and email. This will allow us to be ready when the systems are in place to connect volunteers with clean-up sites. You may also communicate your availability to NYVOAD at admin@nyvoad.org. NYVOAD is coordinating this effort state wide.
- Give a donation to support LDR, Upstate NY Hurricane/Flood Relief, c/o Lutheran Homes Foundation, 108 Utica Rd., Clinton, NY 13323 (Checks made payable to “Lutheran Homes Foundation” - please note LDR-Upstate NY in the memo line). Donations support the LDR staff working locally in the wake of the disaster to share information, train and coordinate volunteers in the wake of disaster and to support recovery efforts. You may also donate online through the national LDR website.
Grace and peace,
Patsy Glista, AIM
LDR Coordinator, Upstate New York
Assistant to the Bishop for Operations, Upstate New York Synod, ELCA
(315)289-2686, pglista@upstatenysynod.org
|
|
|
